Fantasy baseball relievers #2: Josh Hader
Yes, Josh Hader struggled mightily in the middle of the 2022 season, Yes, Josh Hader, with the help of his coaches in San Diego, fixed his release point and returned to elite form at the end of the season. With those problems behind him, he’s still an elite reliever. Overall, his 2022 season was the worst of his career because he struggled so much in July and August. He pitched 50 innings and allowed 43 hits, 29 earned runs, 21 walks, and struck out 81 batters. His ERA was 5.22, his FIP was 3.45, his WHIP was 1.28, and his ERA+ was 75. He never lost the ability to get swings and misses, and his 0.87 ERA and 0.58 WHIP in September and October show that he is good to go heading into 2023.
Fantasy baseball relievers #1: Emmanuel Clase
Emmanuel Clase will turn 25 just before the start of the 2023 season, and he has already established himself as one of the most elite closers in the game. In 2022, he pitched 72.2 innings and allowed just 43 hits, 11 earned runs, 10 walks, and struck out 77 batters. HIs ERA was microscopic 1.36, his FIP was 1.98, his WHIP was 0.73, and his ERA+ was 281. He led baseball in saves (42), games finished (67), and appearances (77). He doesn’t strike out as many as you’d think, considering he throws 102 with cut, but he doesn’t walk as many either. His 1.2 BB/9 is the best on the list and 4th in MLB with a minimum of 60 innings pitched. With Edwin Diaz’s injury in the World Baseball Classic, Clase slides up to the #1 fantasy baseball reliever for 2023.
How would you rank your top fantasy baseball relievers? Let us know in the comments.